4 Best Pizza Spots in Padova

With two new pizzerie from Naples popping up in Padova, the competition for the best pizza is on fire like a forno a legna on a Friday night! Here are my top picks...

Rating criteria

To be fair, I only rate pizza by one type: Pizza Margherita, just tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil. I prefer mine with mozzarella di bufala (water buffalo milk mozzarella), even though this topic sparks much debate in Italian circles. Yes, the mozzarella di bufala is a bit more watery, but the runny bit in the middle is my favorite part!

The winners

Marechiaro

Founded in 1964, Marechiaro is the oldest pizzeria of my top four. While the crust varies a bit from time to time, it consistently produces good pizza. Marechiaro also wins for the best atmosphere and wine list. Additionally, they offer a range of other delicious Neapolitan dishes emerging out of their second kitchen.

There is a pleasant courtyard and various indoor dining rooms overlooking the courtyard. It's nice to have a white tablecloth pizza restaurant option!

Da Michele

This institution from Naples is a welcome addition to the pizza scene in Padova. They turn out perfectly bubbled and charred crusts. The portions are mind-blowingly big and, even more mind-blowing, the Italians manage to eat the whole thing!

Gino Sorbillo

Another recent outpost from Naples, Gino Sorbillo holds a prominent spot on the Piazza dei Signori. Their crust is my favorite and the portions are more in check than Da Michele, even though they still manage to hang over the plate. True to many authentic Neapolitan pizzerrie, no substitutions or additions allowed!

Malfadina

Malfadina is another traditional pizzeria, but local, from the Padova area. Again, perfect crust and traditional ingredients.

Italian pizza etiquette

• No splitting pizza- each person gets their own, unless it's agreed upon prior to order 'pizza degustazione' which is one pizza per person, however all shared and delivered one by one in courses.

• Italians eat pizza with a fork and knife, at least, in restaurants.

• Pizza beverages typically consist of beer and coke. Wine lists are usually very liminted (white or red), but even with limited selection, the ones listed above serve interesting glasses, typically from the pizza region of Campania. Marechiaro, with its full blown list, is an exception..

OMG- I am so hungry for pizza right now! How about you?

Ciao for now,

Andrea